Land Rover Spare tyre holder Question

[Themadmob]

Hi Guys

Can I use this tyre holder on a standard S3 bonnet?

Thanks

Craig

[S3ute]

Craig,

Hello from Brisbane.

That particular fitting generally came on the Australian trucks when they were specified as "spare wheel on bonnet" - typically installed with the so-called "standard" or "thin lipped" bonnet as opposed to the "deluxe" bonnet which may or may not have had a wheel carrier.

Below is a picture of my truck which has that particular bonnet/carrier combination.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/06/381.jpg (http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/Tilly011/media/LR_Home_SWB_6_zps494aa5b4.jpg.html)

Cheers,

[JDNSW]

See my post in the "New Project" thread.

John

[Themadmob]

Thanks guys, I assume I can simply bolt it into place on the bonnet .. I want to relocate the wheel from behind the seats

[S3ute]

Craig,

John (JDNSW) has given a useful link.

The carrier was actually riveted on the bonnet - although you could bolt it on if "purity" isn't your thing.

Cheers,

[S3ute]

Thanks guys, I assume I can simply bolt it into place on the bonnet .. I want to relocate the wheel from behind the seats

Craig,

I forgot to mention that while putting the wheel on the bonnet does free up some space in an otherwise small load compartment, it comes at a cost.

Lifting the bonnet, and especially with a 7.50 X 16" wheel coming along for the ride, can be a real pig. Great for a quick workout but less so to just check the oil and water.

Presumably you have already worked that out.

Cheers,

[Themadmob]

Hi S3ute

:-) I did think of the weight issue, and was also wondering about the single left hand bonnet strut holding the weight of the wheel ???

Thanks

Craig

[JDNSW]

Hi S3ute

:-) I did think of the weight issue, and was also wondering about the single left hand bonnet strut holding the weight of the wheel ???

Thanks

Craig

Not a problem as far as the bonnet strut goes - I've used the bonnet mount for fifty-five years on various Landrovers without any structural issues; never used to be a problem with lifting the weight either, but I seem to be a bit weaker than I used to be. I would not do it with a tyre over 7.50x16 though, both from the weight and vision aspects. The original 6.00x16 on a five inch rim (which is a lot lighter than the 5.5 - thinner metal) is a lot easier in all respects.

John

[Themadmob]

Thanks.. I won't go bigger than 7.50 espcially with no power steerinģ :-)

[S3ute]

Hi S3ute

:-) I did think of the weight issue, and was also wondering about the single left hand bonnet strut holding the weight of the wheel ???

Thanks

Craig

Craig,

As John suggests, the weight of the wheel doesn't seem to worry the strut or the bonnet catch too much - we also had bonnet mount spares on our farm trucks for years without any apparent deterioration of the metal bits.

Ditto lifting the bonnet when age or gender is still on your side - unfortunately, not for me any more, on the first count anyway.

On the second, I would doubt that Mrs S3ute or Miss S3ute would willingly lift a wheel endowed bonnet too voluntarily unless there was a diamond or sales receipt hidden under it....

Cheers

[Themadmob]

:-) thanks for your advice ... you have both helped me decide .. its a bonnet mounted 7.50x16 wheel ... and just maybe a diamond hidden :-)

[30t of coolness]

Just don't fix it to the bonnet using pop rivets , I did when I was younger & nothing gets the heart racing like watching your spare tyre sliding across your bonnet & bouncing across Mona Vale road through traffic!

[Seriestwo]

My brother has 31" x 9" tyres on his S11a and we fitted the tyre on the bonnet as we wanted to get it off the tailgate. Well we drove home from the bolt shop with the tyre on the bonnet and decided it was way too dangerous to have it on the bonnet.

I had a standard 7.50 on the bonnet of my grey wagon and the blind spot was quite acceptable.

Chris

[vnx205]

I carried a 750x16 on the bonnet of my Series III for 200,000km over a couple of decades, including the Oodnadatta Track, the Tanami, the Cobbler Desert, and the Gibb River Road.

I never found the weight a big problem. Visibility was rarely a problem, except when cresting a rise.

[Ozdunc]

According to a mob in South Africa, actually having the wheel on the bonnet makes the flying brick more aero dynamic ( off a very low base admittedly ) by about 8%.

Can't remember where, when, etc as it was a while ago I came across the article but it was a reviewed university thesis.

[Themadmob]

Cheers guys ... Interesting feedback and a lot of help

[isuzutoo-eh]

With a 7.50R16 and steel rim on it I can lift my bonnet with one hand whilst the other operates the lever. I'm no strongarm either. Bend your knees, get the heel of your palm under the edge of the bonnet, and lift with your legs.
That said if I am doing prolonged repairs, I take the wheel off.

[S3ute]

Craig,

Hello again - from Launceston on tour.

Given the nature of the travel you have in mind from our various pm's, it might pay to also consider looking out for a wagon rear door with the spare mount. That way you can carry two spares without losing space in the cab.

Cheers,

[Themadmob]

Hi ... I have been looking at that idea ... either a swing mount .. or .... can a wagon rear door fit my S3??????

[cleggie]

Unfortunately, my dad found that mounting the wheel on the back door of his series 2A broke the door frame. Especially, when as a kid, I would slam the door.

[JDNSW]

Hi ... I have been looking at that idea ... either a swing mount .. or .... can a wagon rear door fit my S3??????

Wagon door will fit any Series 2/2a/3/90/110/Defender full (factory) hardtop - but especially with the two hinge doors fitted to Series Landrovers, carrying a wheel on the door will shorten the door life. The low door mount on the Series precludes the use of a towbar. Even the latest Defender door is rather dubiously capable of carrying a wheel on rough going. If you put the spare at the back, get (or make) a swingaway carrier.

John